Quiz: Howstuffworks

Our Hardest Common Phrases Quiz

About This Quiz

Common phrases are well-known forms of expressions that refer to analogies and life lessons. In this quiz, we've rounded out 35 difficult phrases that you may or may not have heard of.

Let's take a look at some of these "difficult" common phrases. For example, did you know that "fit as a fiddle" means that someone is very fit? While some might think it's a way of saying that someone looks heavy, due to the shape of a fiddle, it's actually a compliment for saying that someone looks great!

Another common phrase is "all Greek to me." While you might think that this phrase literally refers to the Greek language, it actually means that someone doesn't understand something at all. For example, if you're talking about computer parts to someone who doesn't know anything about computers, they might say something like, "What you're saying sounds all Greek to me."

This quiz will look at 35 "difficult" common phrases that will put your wits to the test! All you have to do is match the common phrase to the correct definition. If you ever get stuck, be sure to utilize the applicable hint that is attached to every question. Without further ado, take this "difficult" common phrases quiz now to see if you can score a 100%!

What does the phrase "ships passing in the night" mean?

Two people who go their separate ways after meeting by chance

Two people who fall in love and get married

Two people who board separate ships

Two people who fight constantly

The phrase "two ships passing in the night" is an analogy for two people who have met by chance. They then go their own separate ways, like ships that pass by each other.

To "swing for the fences" means to...?

Don't try at all.

Put 100% effort in something.

To jump over a fence

To put in a half-effort in something

If someone tells you to "swing for the fences," they want you to give 100% of your best effort. This phrase is often used in sports competitions.

If someone says the phrase "shot in the dark," what does that mean?

To aim accurately at something

To not lie, cheat or steal

To take a chance on something that may not be successful

To put in your best effort

Here's an example of how this phrase is used: If person A says "Who won the Super Bowl last year," Person B might say "OK, shot in the dark here, but I think it was the Patriots." "A shot in the dark" is used to guess or take a chance on something that is probably not going to be right.

What is the definition of this meaning: "To successfully go unpunished from something."

Scaredy-cat

Hail mary

Runaway

Scot-free

To go unpunished from a situation means that you are "scot-free." This can also be referring to jail time, custody or a potential punishment from your parents.

"When the rubber hits the road" is often used to signify...

A proposition that is being implemented

A failed hypothesis

Achieving two tasks at the same time

Dropping a piece of rubber on the road

"When the rubber hits the road" means that a proposition or an idea is being implemented. This is often used for newfound hypotheses.

If I say my mother "wouldn't harm a fly," what am I really saying about her?

She hates flies.

She is a vegetarian.

She is too gentle to hurt anyone.

She is too aggressive.

Flies are often a nuisance, so if someone "wouldn't harm a fly," it means that they are too kind to not only hurt flies, but anybody. This is often used to signify how kind and gentle a person is.

What does this phrase mean: "What am I, chopped liver?"

Someone who likes to sleep a lot

Someone who doesn't feel valued

Someone who feels hungry

Someone who is pretentious

Someone who doesn't feel as valued as someone else may use the expression, "What am I, chopped liver?" The food "chopped liver" is an analogy for feeling like just another "side" item.

If someone uses the phrase "whole nine yards," what are they saying?

Not too much

Nothing at all

The whole thing

Just a little bit

"The whole nine yards" refers to the "whole" of something. So if I say "I want the whole nine yards of this turkey," that means I want all of the turkey.

If I tell you that you're "sitting on the fence," I'm trying to say that you're...

Actually sitting on a fence

Indecisive

A great decision-maker

Ignorant

"Sitting on the fence" means that someone is indecisive. In other words, the person can't make up their mind on a decision.

If I tell you, "Don't pull wool over other people's eyes," what am I really saying?

People may be allergic to wool.

Don't talk badly about people.

Don't back stab others.

It's wrong to make people think that you like them (when you really don't).

The common phrase, "Don't pull wool over other people's eyes" means to not make people think that you like them. The phrase is also used to tell someone that they are being deceptive.

If I say that my dad comes around "once in a blue moon," I'm saying that...

My dad is a wonderful person.

My dad rarely comes around.

My dad is a liar.

My dad is a thief.

"Once in a blue moon" refers to the rarity of a situation. So if I say that my dad only comes around once in a blue moon, I'm saying that it's rare that he pays a visit.

If I say that you are "off your rocker," what am I trying to tell you?

You are rocking back and forth too much.

You're a very polite person.

You look hungry.

You're acting stupid or crazy.

Someone who is "off their rocker" is someone who is not behaving appropriately. This often means that they are acting stupid, crazy or childish.

Someone who is not very smart would be equated to which of these phrases?

"Method to the madness"

"Off the rocker"

"Not playing with a full deck"

"Not a spark of decency"

To "not play with a full deck" means that someone is not thinking very intelligently. This can refer to their overall intelligence or to a particular situation.

What does the phrase "not a spark of decency" mean?

Somebody who is decent in nature

Somebody who is impolite

Somebody who is professional

Somebody who can't read

Somebody who does not have a "spark of decency" means that they are not a very polite person. This also refers to a lack of manners.

If someone tells you to just "let the sleeping dogs lie," they are telling you to...

Not bother something or someone

Don't wake up the dogs, as they may bark.

Don't talk too much.

Don't talk so loud.

"Let the sleeping dogs lie" means to not bother someone or something. This also means to just let something be, and to not disrupt it.

If you "heard something on the grapevine," it means that you...

Are being disrespectful

Heard gossip about a situation

Heard the grapevine blow in the wind

Revealed secret information

If you "heard something on the grapevine," it means that you heard gossip or secretive information about a situation. This can refer to both true or false kinds of information.

You might hear an optimist say, "Every cloud has a silver lining," which means...?

Bad days are only temporary. Good days will come soon.

All clouds have a silver outline to them.

Actions speak louder than words.

You're not acting appropriately.

"Every cloud has a silver lining" is an optimistic way of saying that, "Good days will come soon." This is often acknowledging that the bad times are current, but that they will pass.

If someone says, "Elvis has left the building," what are they saying?

The building is too crowded.

Everyone should evacuate the building.

The show is over.

There will be an encore.

"Elvis has left the building" means that the show is over. This also means that a situation is over, which does not necessarily have to refer to a show.

If someone "cuts the mustard" it means that they were...

Ignorant

Successful

Drunk

Rude

To be successful means that someone "cut the mustard." For example, if I say that John "cut the mustard in the race," it means that he was successful in the race (and probably won).

If I am "caught between two stools," it means that I'm...

Having a hard time with two choices

Stuck in a single predicament

Hungry for success

A failure in life

To be "caught between two stools" means that someone is being indecisive with two choices. Both choices are typically of equal importance to cause such indecisiveness.

To "bite off more than you can chew" means that you are ...

Afraid to ask for help

Able to accomplish all of the required tasks

In need of more tasks to do

Trying to attempt a task of high responsibility or difficulty

Trying to attempt a task of high difficulty or responsibility means that you are "trying to bite off more than you can chew." This can also refer to multiple tasks, not just one.

Can you decode this phrase: "A stitch in time saves nine."

It refers to a trendy topic.

Don't try and juggle too many tasks.

You can prevent quite a bit of headache down the road if you solve an issue now.

Mind your manners.

"A stitch in time saves nine" means that you can prevent quite a bit of headache down the road if you solve an issue now. This is another way of saying, "Don't procrastinate."

"A watched pot never boils" refers to which of these meanings?

You have the authority for your own decisions and actions.

Time feels slower when you attentively wait for something to happen.

Time flies when you're having fun.

You shouldn't procrastinate.

If you ever have the time to stand around and literally watch a pot of water boil, it will feel as if it's taking forever. This is an analogy for how time feels slow when we attentively wait for something to "boil" or something to happen.

If a topic is a "hot potato," it is ...

Philosophical

Trendy

False

Meaningless

A trendy topic might also be referred to as a "hot potato." For example, headlines of trendy news articles are considered to be "hot potato" articles.

If I say that the new kid at school is a "fish out of water," I'm saying that...

The new kid is not very good at socializing.

The new kid hates fish.

The new kid is making friends quickly.

The new kid doesn't look comfortable with his/her environment.

When you take a fish out of water, the fish is uncomfortable and foreign to its new environment. This is an analogy for a person who looks lost or uncomfortable in a certain situation.

The compliment of "fit as a fiddle" means what?

To look fat

To have a clear complexion

To look very fit

To look well-fed

The phrase "fit as a fiddle" means that someone looks very fit. It can also be used to say that someone looks healthy.

"Foaming at the mouth" refers to which definition?

To be wealthy

To express joy

To express sadness

To express rage

If someone is "foaming at the mouth," it means that they are expressing rage. The anger that is expressed is usually of a very high degree.

If my remarks "hit you below the belt," what does that mean?

My belt is too loose.

My remarks were well-said.

My remarks were impolite.

My remarks were compliments.

If my remarks were considered to be too impolite, you might say something like, "Your words hit me below the belt." This is typically used to express vulnerability and feeling offended.

If you have a "chip on your shoulder," what does that mean?

You are feeling happy.

Your shoulder is fractured.

You're holding a grudge that still makes you upset.

You have low self-esteem.

If someone is holding a grudge that still makes them upset, it means that they have a "chip on their shoulder." This can also refer to a regret.

If what you're saying is "all Greek to me," it means that ...

You're acting unprofessional.

I understand what you're saying.

I don't speak Greek.

I don't understand what you're saying.

"All Greek to me" doesn't necessarily refer to the Greek language. Rather, it means that you don't understand what someone is trying to tell you.

Someone who is clumsy by nature might be called a ...

Relentless bull

Bull with three horns

Bull in a china shop

Barking dog

"Bull in a china shop" refers to someone who is very clumsy in nature. This person may also have a habit of damaging surrounding items.

If someone "smells a rat," it means that they...

Are suspicious of someone or something

Smell something foul

Don't like rats

Are easily fooled

Feeling suspicious of a particular situation or of a person means that someone "smells a rat." The "rat," or person in such a case, is usually lying and deceptive in nature.

If I say that you are "in the red," what do I mean?

You don't look very healthy.

You are easily fooled.

You're not in a good financial spot.

You were caught red-handed.

"In the red" refers to a person's financial situation. The phrase is usually used for someone who has depleted their money and assets.

If someone wants you to remain level-headed about a situation, they are telling you to ...

"Keep your shirt on"

"Know the ropes"

"Knock it out of the park"

"Let her rip"

If someone wants you to "keep your shirt on," it means that they want you to remain level-headed about a situation. This is also used to help calm someone down.

What is the definition of "greased lighting?"

Something that is clean

Something of high speed

Something that is greasy

Something that requires hard work

"Greased lightning" refers to something that is high in speed, or something moving very quickly. For example, if I say that this car is like greased lighting, I'm saying that the car drives very fast.

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